Ab urbe condita

As the generals were not there to direct the attack, there was no check upon the carnage which ensued, and the nation of the Ausonians was exterminated, just as if they had been engaged in an internecine war, though there was no certain proof of their having revolted.

During this year the Roman garrison at Luceria was treacherously betrayed, and the Samnites became masters of the place.

The traitors did not go long unpunished. A Roman army was not far away, and the city, which lay in a plain, was taken at the first assault.

The Lucerines and Samnites were put to death, no quarter being given, and such deep indignation was felt at Rome that when the question of sending fresh colonists to Luceria was under discussion in the senate many voted for the complete destruction of the city.

Not only the bitter feeling towards a people who had been twice subdued but also the distance from Rome made them shrink from banishing their countrymen so far from home.

However, the proposal to despatch colonists was adopted; 2500 were sent. Whilst[*](Prosecutions for Treason.) disloyalty was thus manifesting itself everywhere, Capua also became the centre of intrigues amongst some of her principal men.

When the matter came up in the senate, there was a general feeling that it ought to he dealt with at once.

A decree was passed authorising the immediate opening of a court of inquiry, and C. Maenius was nominated Dictator to conduct the proceedings. M. Foslius was appointed Master of the Horse. The greatest alarm was created by this step, and the Calavii, Ovius, Novius, who had been the ringleaders, did not wait to be denounced to the Dictator, but placed themselves beyond the reach of prosecution by what was undoubtedly a self-inflicted death.

As there was no longer any matter for investigation at Capua, the inquiry was directed to those who were suspected in Rome.

The decree was interpreted as authorising an inquiry, not in regard to Capua especially, but generally in respect of all who had formed cabals and conspiracies against the republic, including the secret leagues entered into by candidates for office. The inquiry began to embrace a wider scope both with respect to the nature of the alleged offences and the persons affected, and the Dictator insisted that

the authority vested in him as criminal judge was unlimited.